‘This is who we are,’ Toronto marks Trans Day of Remembrance as community remembers lives lost to violence

As many come together to observe Trans Day of Remembrance across the city, one Toronto organization is commemorating the day by honouring the lives of trans people who have been lost due to discrimination and violence.

The 519 is a charity offering support and advocating for equity and justice for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. The charity will be hosting an event on Thursday to honour members of Two Spirit, trans, and non-binary people who have died of violence and transphobia.

“We are going to meet to honour the lives of Two Spirit, trans, non-binary kin and siblings who have been lost due to transphobia, hate crimes, illness, substance use, suicide, misogyny, institutional and legislative, violence and murder,” Jess DeVittoris, program coordinator for storytelling and events, tells Now Toronto. 

According to DeVittoris, the event will consist of an opening ceremony, performances, and a vigil. DeVittoris says there will also be spaces for attendees to grieve.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘This is Who We Are’ which is meant to represent self-determinination, dignity, and community.

“As a queer community, as a trans, non-binary community, we constantly face having to be defined by other people’s standards and which ultimately only we can define for ourselves who we are and live our truth,” DeVittoris said. 

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the event starting at 6:00 p.m.

DeVittoris says the need for Trans Day of Remembrance is more crucial than ever, discrimination and systemic racism continues to spread wide, including here in Canada. 

DeVittoris points to the Alberta government invoking the notwithstanding clause to stop court challenges of laws that affect transgender adults and youth.

The government invoked the clause on the eve of Trans Day of Remembrance and introduced Bill 9, the Protecting Alberta’s Children Statutes Amendment Act, which would amend the Health Statutes Amendment Act, the Education Amendment Act, and the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act.

All three laws were passed last year, including one that prohibits doctors from providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to anyone under 16 for gender reassignment, a concern for The 519.

“It really implicates and has direct, devastating consequences on trans, non-binary, Two Spirit communities across Canada… community participation and health care shouldn’t depend on whether the government deems you worthy of protection. Universal health care means universal health care,” she said. 

DeVittoris adds Trans Day of Remembrance gives everyone the opportunity to stand in solidarity and show their allyship with the trans community. 

“We must view allyship as an ongoing verb where we are consistently showing up for people, especially trans youth,” she said. “This means welcoming trans people into spaces, supporting young people at school, and protesting against hate in learning environments. This also means continuously educating ourselves.”